Only city in the world where eating and selling non-vegetarian food is banned, it is... reason is...
Food habits differ from place to place. Some people love to eat non-vegetarian dishes, while others prefer to incorporate gluten-free, vegetarian foods and salads into their diets. However, there is one place in the entire world where not only eating but even selling non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited. Any guesses? Well, this place is situated in our country. It is…
In India, people from different states have their unique culinary preferences. People from the South prefer to eat dosa, Punjabis enjoy sarson da saag and makki di roti, Bengalis love fish and macher bhaat, Biharis are fond of litti chokha, and Rajasthanis relish dishes like dal baati churma. Every individual respects each other's food habits and patterns. But there is a city where eating and selling non-vegetarian food is completely prohibited. Palitana city of Bhavnagar district of Gujarat is completely vegetarian, and non-vegetarian food is completely banned here.
Back in 2014, a powerful movement began when nearly 200 Jain monks chose to go on a hunger strike. Their heartfelt plea was simple yet deeply spiritual — they wanted Palitana, a place they considered sacred, to be respected as a holy pilgrimage site. They asked for a complete stop to the sale of meat in the area. Troubled by the presence of butcher shops near their places of worship, they stood firm in peaceful protest. In the end, their voices were heard, and the government agreed to their request, marking a significant and emotional victory for the Jain community.
Going by a The Times of India(TOI) report, following the monks' peaceful protest, the local administration shut down over 250 meat shops in Palitana. Moreover, the sale as well as the consumption of meat, fish, and eggs were completely prohibited in the city. This significant move not only set a unique precedent in India but also stood out globally as a remarkable example of religious and ethical harmony.
This decision was deeply rooted in respecting the principles of Jainism, which emphasize non-violence (ahimsa) and reverence for all forms of life. The Jain community holds Palitana sacred, as it is located on Shatrunjaya Hill, home to over 800 ancient Jain temples.
Surprisingly, not only meat, but the killing of any kind of animal is also prohibited in Palitana. Activities such as fishing, poultry farming, or animal sacrifice do not take place here. Hence, this place is termed as 'Paradise for Vegetarians'.
You might be wondering if this ban has caused any food-related problems for the locals. Absolutely not — Palitana offers a wide variety of pure vegetarian dishes. From delicious Gujarati thalis to traditional Jain meals, everything here is very popular.
This ban has also had an interesting impact on Palitana's economy. With the closure of meat businesses, vegetarian restaurants and the food industry have flourished rapidly. Tourists now visit not only to see the temples but also to experience the city's pure vegetarian cuisine.
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